As part of an Atlantic Flyway-wide Coast project within Audubon, the Long Island Bird Conservation Program (LIBCP) aims to better understand and protect at-risk shorebirds in New York. The LIBCP works with partners to monitor and protect Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers at various sites on Long Island, performs and organizes International Shorebird Surveys, and conducts outreach and education to target audiences to reduce disturbances to shorebirds. We are currently looking for a seasonal outreach field technician for the 2018 field season (early April- mid August).
To help reduce disturbances to beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds, Audubon New York launched the “Be a Good Egg” outreach campaign in 2013. We use education, social marketing, and citizen science to decrease human threats to shorebirds and seabirds. We target areas where human disturbance has been a threat to beach-nesting birds and/or there is a need for a reduction in human disturbance and/or stronger community support for beach protection measures. We host on-the-beach outreach events to educate beach-goers and encourage them to sign a pledge to share the shore with beach-nesting birds.
Work may include, but is not limited to, leading on-the-beach outreach events; recruiting and training volunteers; coordinating schedules with partners, volunteers, and land managers; interacting with beach-goers regarding coastal birds; taking photos and videos of stewardship and outreach work; and posting content on social media. In order to be able to communicate beach nesting bird biology and conservation needs to the public, this position will also assist with the stewardship and monitoring of breeding Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatcher by locating nests and chicks to determine reproductive success, putting up and maintaining string fencing and signs around nesting areas, and installing predator exclosures at Piping Plover nests.
The candidate chosen for this position will be expected to work 5 days a week (usually 40 hours). Weekend and holiday work will be required, especially in June and July. The technician will be required to use their personal vehicle to access sites that are located across Long Island. Travel will be reimbursed.
- Assist the Long Island Bird Conservation Manager in planning Be a Good Egg outreach activities;
- Recruit and coordinate volunteers;
- Organize and implement volunteer training sessions;
- Lead on-the-beach outreach events and engage and educate beach-goers about beach-nesting birds and their conservation needs;
- Distribute educational and promotional materials to beach-goers;
- Encourage beach-goers to sign a pledge to “share the beach” with beach-nesting birds;
- Set up and transport outreach equipment, including a canopy tent, table, camp chairs, educational materials, and water and snacks for volunteers, to outreach events;
- Coordinate with other staff, partners, and land managers;
- Use binoculars and/or a spotting scope to locate, identify, and count Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Oystercatchers, and migratory shorebirds;
- Assist in nest searching and monitoring of reproductive success, setting up and maintain protective fencing and signs at nesting areas, as well as erecting predator exclosures at Piping Plover nests;
- Carefully and neatly record data on specified data sheets and enter data into Excel and eBird as needed; and
- Post content, outreach events, and volunteer opportunities on social media.
- Prior experience with outreach is preferred. Prior shorebird and/or field experience is not required, but a willingness to learn about beach-nesting bird biology and conservation is.
- Must have strong communications skills and attention to detail, with comfort engaging and communicating with a diverse public audience.
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel.
- Must be willing to work on busy beach days and holiday weekends.
- The ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages is preferred but not required.
- Willingness to work outdoors for long periods of time in adverse conditions (hot, humid, buggy).
- A strong work ethic with comfort working in an independent environment.
- Must be able to walk long distances (up to 7 miles), carry heavy equipment (tents, tables, post pounders, fence posts), and drive to both north shore and south shore Long Island field sites.